little lion (wo)man

Aunt Sandy, this post is for you.  I promise to update more often.

For Halloween, Elia dressed up as a tiny lion.  She was every bit as ferocious as you'd imagine.

Roarrrr! (Not ferocious in the least.)

Since our only pictures of her in her costume on Halloween were dimly-lit iPhone photos, we thought it would be a good idea to take a few more photos of her in her costume today.

Sweet child, you are far too patient with your parents.

six months

This month's photo shoot came on day two of a nasty cold. Since last month, Elia has grown so much and she keeps amazing us every day. Today, she finally rolled from her back onto her belly. Once she did it, she just kept on doing it, over and over. She must have wanted to wait to roll both ways until she knew she would be a pro at it.

Because it's October, we thought Elia should go trick or treating for her monthly fun photo.

And then we went to her chair.

At six months she is interactive.

Curious.

Sweet.

Loves her feet.

Teething. (We're up to two teeth now.)

And a constant source of joy.

Happy half birthday to you, darling girl.

apple of my eye

After a September that ended more summery than it began, fall has descending upon West Michigan. I think many people count fall as their favorite season and you can find the Neckers family on that list. 

On Friday night, Elia kicked off our weekend of fall fun by biting my finger with her very first tiny tooth while we were at happy hour. Pictures forthcoming - in theory, it's very cute that she has a tooth but her tooth is just budding and every photo I've attempted to take of it has shown only drool and lips, charming only to her mother, I'm sure.

We spent Saturday morning at Robinette's, an autumn staple. Following the obligatory hayride, which Elia slept through, and a delicious doughnut and cider combo, we took E out to the orchard to see the apples up close.

She liked the apples to much that she picked one. Applesauce is her favorite food so we should've known. 

That afternoon, we were playing outside when Elia decided to really overachieve. I moved my hand from her back for a few seconds and the next thing I knew, five minutes of unsupported sitting had gone by.  

Her first tooth and sitting up within twenty-four hours! She is growing up so fast and we're so proud of her.

Happy fall!

five months

Five months and five days ago, Elia graced us with her presence. Since then she's been filling our lives with joy.

 

This month Elia loves her hands and feet. She got sick for the first time. She took her first airplane ride. We spent a weekend on Mackinac Island so along with that came her first carriage ride and visit to the Grand Hotel. We could list thing after thing - what an amazing thing it is to have something new happen to you almost every day.

The above picture is a pretty accurate representation of Elia right now, always in motion, discovering her world. Soon she'll be mobile, not just moving; we should start baby-proofing the house now.

If you've been anywhere near Grand Rapids lately you know that we are in the midst of the fifth year of ArtPrize. Todd and I love how ArtPrize livens up downtown each fall and in honor of one of our favorite times of year, Elia went artiste for her monthly photo.

Happy five months, Elia! We love you so.

four months

Elia turned four months on Saturday.

She decided she'd try rolling over to celebrate.

When she's not smiling, it's usually because her mouth is full of one of her hands. 

Today the doctor assured us that she's a genius. We told him not to worry, that we already knew. I mean, who else has a four-month old who can hold onto things? Or giggle? No one, right?  I didn't think so.

He also told us that we can start giving her solids whenever we want to. He told us to go home and giver her a banana if we'd like. Solid foods? That's bananas. I decline for now.  Surely my tiny baby isn't ready to eat anything but milk yet, is she?

Well, she did roll over after all...

Don't grow up too fast baby girl.